7 Ideal Ways to Get Rid of Cold Naturally

With winter season just round the corner, cold is the most common problem that is being experienced by people of all age groups. When we are exposed to various environments and seasons, we may probably catch cold. However, the degree to which we are impacted depends on our immune system.

Boosting immune system through natural nutrition, regular exercise, and regular sleep is the first step to prevent viruses from entering the body. People with strong immune system will live years together without catching cold or flu. There are no certain cures for colds and flu. So, prevention of these should be your end goal. An ideal way to prevent cold and flu is to live healthy life.

Preventing Cold Naturally

The following are the few tips that help you prevent cold and flu’s naturally:

Stay Hydrated

Good hydration levels should be maintained in the body to keep the nose moist. For this, you need to drink plenty of fluids and should balance electrolytes in your body. Chicken soup is the best way to stay hydrated and to get electrolytes.

Hot Showers

While taking hot shower, place your head under the steam in such a way that you can slowly inhale steam. You can inhale water vapor, which will moisten your nasal passages.

Carbohydrates

Eating foods containing healthy carbohydrates such as natural grains, whole breads and pasta is a good way to boost our metabolism, which in turn helps immune system to fight viruses. Carbohydrates also work best to warm up the body internally and prevent the body from becoming chilled.

Avoid Refined Sugars, Salty, Spicy Foods & Caffeine

Caffeine dehydrates the body. Salty and spicy foods also speed up the body’s system resulting in dehydration. Hence, it is better to take these foods in moderate level instead of going for large quantities. Refined sugars do not contain any nutrition and has no calories present in it. Therefore, try to avoid these foods to prevent catching cold.

Vitamin C & Zinc

Vitamin C & Zinc helps in boosting the immune system and fights against viruses carrying cold. Zinc reduces the duration and severity of common cold in healthy people. When Zinc is taken for at least five months, it reduces cold incidence. Natural food sources of Zinc include eggs, chicken, garlic, oysters, beef, and dairy products.

Here’s a list of natural foods sources of Vitamin C:

Vitamin C food sources

Serving

Grapefruit

1/2 medium size

Orange

1/2 medium size

Mango

1/2 medium size

Papaya

1/4 medium size

Cantaloupe Melon

Small size

Honeydew Melon

1/8 small size

Strawberries

8

Blackberries/Raspberries

15

kiwi

½ medium size

Juice

Serving

Grapefruit

15 ml

Orange

15 ml

Fortified juice

2 tsp

Lemon

60 ml

Tomato

180 ml

Vegetable

115 ml

Vegetables

Serving

Peppers (red, Orange, yellow)

¼ medium size

Broccoli (raw/cooked)

1 serving

Tomato

1 medium size

Cauliflower

1 serving

Kale (cooked)

1 serving

Spinach (raw/cooked)

1 serving

Romaine lettuce

1 serving

Red cabbage

1 serving

Sweet potato (in skin)

1 medium size

Rest

Proper rest and adequate sleep will help build your immune system. Extra rest when you begin to feel cold will help immune system to fight off the cold.